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The BIG Family 










^The BIG Family 


and Their Good Times 



erses and Pictures 



By 


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DODD. MEAD AND COMPANY 

PUBLISHERS 




Copyright, 1914, 1915 

By THE CROWELL PUBLISHING COMPANY 
Copyright, 1916 

By DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY 


OCT -3 1916 


©CI,A437941 


C/ 






CONTENTS 

PART 

One. Old Fashioned “folks” and what is more, 

The kind you’d like to have next door 

Two. They go to grandpa’s for Thanksgiving; 

What fun they had, those days, just living 

Three. I’ll tell in pictures and in rhyme 

Just what they did at Christmas time 

Four. This tells of how the Smileys small 

Dressed up and made a New Year’s call 




PAGE 

1 


••• ••• ••• 


8 


13 


18 


CONTENTS 


PART 


PAGE 

Five. 

This tells about the valentines they used to send each other, 

Especially about the one the children made for Mother 

... 23 

Six. 

When you’ve read this, I almost know 

That sugaring you 11 want to go 

...^ 28 

Seven. 

Kept in by rain this April day. 

They cut out “actors for a play” 

... 33 

Eight. 

Most everybody, I should say. 

Loves to go picnicking in May 

... 37 

Nine. 

Aunt Fannie marries Ezra True. 

I do like wedding cake. Don’t you? 

... 42 

After Word 

... 49 

Cut Out Pictures 



The BIG Family 








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PART ONE 



Old fashioned * folks’* and what 
is more, 

The ki^d you’d like to have 
next door. 


f HERE’S nothing I like better than to hear my Great-aunt Prue 

Tell of the times when she was small and lived at “Pleasant View.” 
The place was rightly named — their view was what a view should be, 

The river and the village and, way off, the blue, blue sea ! 

I’ve drawn a picture of the house, — that was a Home, — heigh-ho I 
I often wish that I’d lived there back in the long ago. 

I’ll try to tell you (if you like to hear things told in rhymes) 

What Great-aunt Prue tells me, all true, about the happy times 
That fine big fam’ly used to have — let’s see, there were eleven : 

The grown folks numbered four in all, the children they were seven. 

Brothers and Sisters ! Seems to me no child can have too 
many, 

“The more the merrier.” And think I — some children 
haven’t any! 

In those old days I’ll tell about — p’rhaps sixty years 
ago— 

That fam’ly wasn’t thought so big as ’twould be now, 
you know. 



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1 


MOTHER 


FATHER 




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I’ll show them all just as they were when Great-aunt Prue was eight 1 
Or thereabouts, and that was — but why bother with the date? 

The MOTHER, Mrs. Smiley, — folks all called her “ Mother Smile,” — 
(To tell how wonderful she was would take too long a while, 



The FATHER w^s a doctor — doctor-fathers are just fine. 

And UNCLE NATHAN — my weak words can’t ever picture him — 
Ship-builder 1 (Once was captain of the schooner “Sally Skimm.”) 
He called the children “mates” — made toys! I’m sadly certain that 
Uncles cant whittle nowadays, alas, like Uncle Nat. 

2 


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UNCLE NAT 


AUNT FAN 


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Out in the shallow brook he’d built a “good ship” for the “mates,” 
''The finest playhouse — yes, siree — in the United States.” 

A tiny cabin and two masts, gangplank to shore ! What fun I 
And hunks for almost every child — the twins, of course, shared one. 
They named their boat the Buccaneer— she flew the skull and bones. 
And Cap’n Dan belayed the crew in flerce commanding tones. 

Had I possessed when I was small a place for play like that. 

My joy would have been quite complete ! — I had no Uncle Natl 

AUNT FAN was then still “fancy free,” — she had but turned 
nineteen, 

Her hair was brown, her eyes were blue as summer skies serene. 

And she could play and sing and paint, and make 
Wax flowers too! 

The children thought her perfect, quite— Q.nd so did 
Ezra True. 

And if daguerreotypes don’t lie I can’t blame neigh- 
bor Ez, not I. 

(Most of these little pictures, dear, were made, I must 
confess. 

From hasty sketches by Aunt Fan.) I found her 
sketch book — yes — 

Up in the attic — how it poured that autumn after- 
noon ! 

I also found her diary, marked Eighteen-fifty — June. 

3 




Some children' haven’t any! 


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WEE WEE” 


THE TWINS” “TUBBY 


JANEY-ANN 


CHILDREN’S AGES 


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Now come the children: they were called 
by some “ the Seven Smiles ”— 

To find more huggable you’d have to hunt 
a hundred miles. 

(I love these children just as if they were 
my very own. 

run along you’ll see that plainly shown.) 


And as my rhymings 



Wax ftowera 


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First “WEE-WEE” comes— there always was a baby in that house. 

This one was sweet as any rose and quiet as a mouse. 

THE TWINS! Their real names I’ve forgot— all called them “One and T’other.” 
Quiet as mice? No they were not; not they. Somehow or other 
They managed almost every day, those two, to fall down-stairs; 

In double trouble all the time they seemed, from dawn till prayers. 

TOBIAS was the next in line, of course, they called him “Tubby” 

Because, though not exactly fat, this five-year-old was chubby. 

Quaint JANEY-ANN— sAe might have stepped from an old story book. 

(Some children, though, are not quite so— well, saintly as they look.) 

You’d never think, — how often one a wrong impression gets! — 

That Janey- Ann could “ kick the pan ” or tear her pantalets. 

But still she was the dearest child that ever stubbed a toe, 

“Our little Jane.” Don’t I just wish I had one like her though! 

I always like to hear — don’t you? — all children’s ages told. 

Well, now, let’s see — it seems to me Jane- Ann was six years old. 

4 


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PRUE 


‘LET’S PRETEND’ 




THE BRAVEST OF THE BRAVE 



PRUDENCE was eight ; her hair was straight ; for 
short they called her Prue ; 

She seemed to live in “Wonderland” — looked quite 
like “Alice,” too. 

Her favorite game was “Let’s pretend.” She’s still a 
child inside. 

I guess she never did grow up, she couldn’t if she 
tried. 

Although she’s now a real great-aunt she has the 
best of times— 

And how it pleased the dear to hear her mem’ries put 
’to rhymes! 


There always was a baby, etc. 


DAN was the oldest, nigh a man”— as he said, most 
eleven.” 

You know what boys of that age are, it seems to me that heaven 
Will be a sleepy sort of place without a few just boys 
To add to music of the spheres a little earthly noise ! 


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And Dan was every inch just boy; he’d great ambitions, too. 
He hoped some day he might command a 40 frigate’s crew. 
And Men— beware, O smuggler bold or Chinese pirate junk 1 — 
The bravest of the brave, he* d be — he once had caught a skunk! 





5 


THE PETS 


FROM TROPIC LANDS 


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THE PETS — of course there was a horse; there also 
was a pony, 

They wouldn’t have sold “Dear old Dot” — not for a lot 
of money. 

And “Tricks,” the kind of dog you like, a fearless little 
fellow ; 

His heart was right, his soul was white, his pedigree 

was “yellow.” ••Saimlv" as they look 

Then the poll-parrot— Uncle Nat had brought, so I had heard. 

From some mysterious tropic land this bright-hued talking bird. 

(This Pretty Polly once became the talk of all the town; 

I’ll tell you some day what she did the night the barn burned down.) 






6 


The Pony 





BED TIME 









THEIR MOTTO 


I hope you like this family, these “ Smiles ” of 
Pleasant View, 

And that you want to hear sometime about 
their doings too. 

You see, this time it took so long to introduce 
each one 

That bedtime, dear, is drawing near and we’re 
but well begun. 



Worked by Aunt Fan 


Just one thing more— above the door from sitting-room to hall 
There hung a framed embroidered scroll ; it could be seen by all. 

This was the motto of “the Smiles” — picked out I’m sure by Mother- 
Worked by Aunt Fan in red and tan; it said: **Love One Another.** 



4 

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PART TWO 


They go to grandpa s for Thanksgiving: 
What fun they had, those days, just living. I 



ELL you a story? Let me see, “A true one, too,” you say? 

ni tell you how the Smileys spent one good Thanksgiving Day, 
And when I’ve finished I’m quite sure you’ll all of you declare 
You’d like to’ve been along yourselves the fun and feast to share. 

To Grandpa Smiley’s they had planned as usual to go. 

“Now,” said the children one and all, “if only it would snow!” 
And, sure enough, the afternoon before the festal day 
The first fiakes fell ; folks could foretell good sleighing. Hip-hooray 111! 
It snowed all night ; the children— why, they scarcely slept a wink 1 
They dressed and had their breakfast all by lamplight. Only think ! 
They got a very early start, for in 
that way they might 
Crowd in a few more happy hours 
before the fall of night. 

Father and Mother Smiley took the 
little basket sleigh; 

The baby went, of course, with them. 

The others? Look this way 
The picture shows them in the pung, 
a load! Land sakes alive! 

Six rosy children, sweet Aunt Fan, 
and Uncle Nat to drive. 




4/ 


THE PUNG 


THE SLEIGH-RIDE 


GRANDPA’S HOUSE 


HAPPY FOLKS 


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The Twins are there and Tubby too, and Prue 
and Janey-Ann, 

And, sitting on the driver’s seat with Uncle, 
merry Dan. 

The pung was warm with springy hay, rag rugs 
and buffaloes. 

And every cosy passenger was muffled to the 
nose. 

With jingling bells they started off just as the east grew bright, 
Passed the old tollgate by the time ’twas really broad daylight. 
There isn’t time to tell you all they saw upon the way 
And all they did. You’ll have to just imagine. Anyway 
It was a jolly old sleigh ride— no great adventures met — 

(Near Hilltown, though, in drifted snow, they did almost upset!) 



U 




Good Gramp’ and Gran’ma Smiley lived about twelve miles away, 

Past Greenfield, on the River Road. Fine country that, they say. 

The trip, of course, seemed short indeed— how fast the minutes flew! 

They jogged through Allen’s Woods and soon the house came into view. 

A big, red, rambling, home-like house; the door soon opened wide 
And Gramp’ and Gran’ma, sweet old souls, stood smiling just inside. 

“ Whoa, boy ! Who-o-o-o up!” The jingling ceased, all scrambled to the ground, 
And sudden noise of girls and boys then made that house resound. 

In the big room birch logs blazed bright; oh, happy folks were those 
Who crowded round the fire that day to warm their chilly toes. 

9 


i0 



PREPARATIONS FOR THE FEAST 


HIDE AND SEEK 


DINNER TIME ! 






^<7 





Mother and Auntie Fan soon went to 
help prepare the feast 

(Sounds from the kitchen issuing were 
promising at least !) 

Sweet odors floated through the house. 

How hard to wait and sniff, 

After you’ve caught that appetizing pie 
and turkey whiff! 

Said Gramp’, “ That bird’s so big seems 
’s if to roast him’d take a week. 

’Twould make the time seem shorter if 
you’d all play hide-an’-seek.” 

They counted out and Prue was “ It.” All ran to hide away. 

Old-timey houses were just built for hide-an’-seek, I’d say. 

Such corners dark, and cubbyholes, the wood-house chamber— you 

Say that’s the best place of them all to hide; Jane thought so, too; 

There, rolled in an old patchwork quilt, she hid— the little sinner! 

They didn’t And her till ’twas time to come— yum! yum!!— to dinner. 

“ Where are the Twins? It’s dinner time.” Hark! — from the barn a wail: 

(To get in trouble of some sort Twins never seem to fail.) 

When found at last they were stuck fast ; they both had tried to crawl 

Into an empty barrel that was just one size too small. 



i0 




Gramp’ asked the blessing— “ Thankful hearts we bring Thee, Lord, for this 
Thy bounty. Bless all here this day and absent ones we miss ; 




10 


CRAMP’S BLESSING 


THE FEAST 


TALES OF OTHER DAYS 




Keep all our sons and daughters, and their fam’lies too, we pray, 

Though scattered far, oh, bring them near in loving thought to-day.” 

The dinner? I can only give a very faint idea 

Of that fine old Thanksgiving feast ; the thought of that good cheer 

Makes me as hungry as a shark, although I don’t suppose 

That sharks would care for punkin pies and such, but then— who knows? 

I think the best thing I can do’s to tell what 
Tubby said. 

When after his third piece of pie he sadly 
shook his head— 

There still remained great heaps of nuts 
and maple sugar hummocks 
And apples, too — he sighed, “ I do just wish 
I had six stummocks.” 

After the dinner, as they sat about a cheery 
blaze 

Gramp’ told how he’d seen Indians back in 
the early days; 

How, near the little frontier town where then his folks were living. 

They often shot, as like as not, wild turkey for Thanksgiving. 

Then Gran’ma showed the wish-bone doll that long ago she’d made 
For Father’s little sister Sal, and told how they had played— 

“ Sally and Nat and Father, too— right in this very room. 

When Uncle Nat was four years old, ’bout knee-high to a broom ; 



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FAMILY TALKS THE MELODEON TUNES “AMEN!” 

He looked like Tubby does right now, and, Dan, I do declare. 

To look at you I’d say that ’twas your father sitting there 1” 

And so, with pleasant family talk— and now and then a tune 
Upon the old melodeon— they passed the afternoon. 

Before they bundled up to go they all joined in and sang 
“Praise God from whom all blessings flow.” How sweet their voices rangl 
I’d like to’ve heard Gramp’s hearty, loud “Amen!” ’twas fine, they say— 
Somehow a perfect ending for their happy holiday. 


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12 


S HXN • 


PART THREE 


ril tell in pictures and in rh^me 
Just what they did at Christmas time. 


-V-- 





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>^?='=*<\HRISTMAS is nearly here, just think I Youve probably begun 
f( To count like this: “Just five days more,” then “Four” — 

“ Three ”— “ Two ” and “ One,” 

Just as they did in Gran’ma’s day, these happy children who, 
’Cept for their clothes, were, goodness knows, about the same as you 
As for the little Smileys, they could hardly eat their meals. 

So full were they of thoughts of what was coming, and their squeals 
And bursts of gay excitement seemed to liven every minute. 

And, oh, so many things to do outside the house and in it! 

Popcorn to pop and string, of course, and apples red to glaze. 

And silver-paper chains to make. You see, in those old days 
Folks made most every thing themselves to trim the Christmas tree. 

’Twas better fun that way, perhaps — at least, seems so to me. 

And mystery was in the air, cries of “Don’t come in here!” 

And hid in closet corners dark were bulging bundles queer. 


Day before Christmas came, and there was still a lot to do. 

What busy bustling everywhere ! (fine, bright, white day ’twas, too.) 

Aunt Fan made candy, many kinds, from breakfast time till noon. 

And chubby Tubby waited round to lick the stirring spoon. 

Prudence and Janey- Ann hung wreaths ; with cheer that house just glowed. 
Mother, of course, was everywhere; the Baby kicked and crowed. 

X3 


TRIMMING THE TREE ORPHAN JIM 


‘ALL COME IN!” 


THE GIFTS 


The Twins were busy as two bees, a-helping everyone. 

Though mostly underfoot, they too. I’m sure, enjoyed 
the fun. 

Aunt Fan and Mother trimmed the Tree, while 
Father in the sleigh 

Went to get little Orphan Jim, who was with them to 
stay 

That night and all the next day, too, to share their 
Christmas joys. 

The Tree and all that with it went — girls, boys, and 
toys and noise. 

For otherwise Jim could expect but little Christmas 
fun— 

(The uncle old with whom he lived was such a crab- 
bed one.) 

When they returned all were surprised though acting’s if they knew — 
For Father’d brought not only Jim, but Jim’s glum uncle tool 
“ They’re lighting up the Tree ! ! ” You know the feeling — “ goosey-skin 
When Mother from the sitting-room calls, “Children, all come ini” 

You must know, too, that is, if you’re a little girl or boy. 

What met their eyes. Oh, Paradise I Oh, vision of pure joy ! 

I’ll tell you now about the gifts ; I always like to hear 
What each one got ; so, like as not, ’twill interest you, my dear, 

To know the thing each one received that pleased him most, or her. 



MORE GIFTS 


PRESENTS FOR THE PETS TOO 












For Mother ’twas a tippet of the softest, brownest fur ; 

For Father (doctors have to be outdoors in cold and storm) 

A cunning little charcoal stove to keep the sleigh-floor warm. 

“Polk’s Favorite Songs,” for sweet Aunt Fan, she tried them right away; 
Long wrister-mits for Uncle Nat, hand-knitted, brown and gray. 

Dan had a beautiful big knife, horn handle ! shining blade ! 

Prue, by a little bracelet with carnelians set, was made 
As happy as a child can be. Quaint Janey-Ann, the dear. 

Got what she begged for, real boys’ skates, like 
Dan’s ; she thought it queer 

That Prue could like a bracelet best. Tubby? 
he had a sled. 

The Twins had little wagons, both alike— the 
wheels were red. 

Jim and his uncle, too, of course, had gifts like 
all the rest. 

That uncle really almost smiled, at least he did 
his best ; 

He got a bright red handkerchief, and as for little 
Jim— 

You should have seen the clanking sword they 
buckled onto him. 

A collar, red, for Tricks the dog, a gay rosette for 

Oh. vision of pure foyt 


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15 


CHRISTMAS FUN 


ORPHAN JIM’S DREAM 


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The pony. Tom, the old white horse, a brand-new 
harness got. 

For Polly, Uncle Nat had made a beautiful new perch; 

Proud as a peacock Polly sat, “ Like Mrs. Spriggs in 
church.”* 

What romping fun for everyone! Oh, what a merry 
throng 1 

They played so hard that Orphan Jim was tuckered 
before long, v 

He curled up on a bearskin rug and fell asleep ; I guess 
Poor lonely Jim was just about worn out with happiness. 
Then Father Smiley carried him— toys, bearskin rug and all— 
And laid him in a trundle-bed up in the children’s hall. 


He dreamed that Santa Claus had come to take him for a ride. 
And he had held the reins while old Saint Nick went down inside 
Some chimney with his wondrous pack, when suddenly — Hi 1 Yi ! 
Those lively reindeers ran away, straight up into the sky ! 

There, many shining angels sang ; each held a star to light 
The way down to the snowy world, yet Jimmie felt no fright. 


. . . tuddenlv—HH Yit 
Those lively reindeer ran away, 
straight up into the sky I 




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THE MOTHER ANGEL 




‘GOOD-NIGHT’ 


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The reindeer stopped, the angels smiled the little boy to greet, 

And one, who seemed to him a sort of Mother Angel sweet. 

Said tenderly, “ God bless you, dear ” — and as these words she spoke, 
Leaned down and kissed the little boy : then Orphan Jim awoke. 


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Was it a Christmas Angel who had kissed him? No, not quite, 

But aZmos/— Mother Smiley had come up to say, “Good-night.” 

^0 







17 


PART FOUR 


This tells ^ou hon> the Smileys small 
Dressed up and made a New Y ear* s call 




PON the village ’neath the hill the Smileys’ house 
looked down, 

They lived, as people used to say, way up on top 
o’ town. 

The knockers on the village street resounded; every- 
where 

Gay shouts of “Happy New Year, Friend,” rang 
on the nipping air. 

For on this day folks used to dress up in their best 
and go 

A-calling on their neighbors all — some still do so, 
you know. 


Dear Mother Smiley and Aunt Fan had baked the day before 
Such stacks of pretty cakes— a kind folks don’t make any more — 
On each an hour glass was stamped, and “Happy Greetings,” too. 
Best cakes you ever ate ! I wish I had some now, don’t you? 
Besides these old-time New Year’s cakes for callers there would be 
Big apples, nuts and hermit snaps, and cider, p’r’aps, or tea. 
Mother and Father, Uncle too, had gone out in the sleigh 
To make a call on Mrs; Hall who lived down Harbor way. 

“ Let us,” said Prue, “ go .calling too. I’m sure I know just 
how.” 

Said Tubby, “We’ll get things to eat, so let’s start out right now.” 



THE CHILDREN GO “CALLING” 


THE DOG. PANIC! 















Pretend,” Prue said, “ I’m Mrs. Brown, and. Tubby, you be Mister, 

And Janey Ann will be Aunt Jess, my young unmarried sister. 

The Twins can be our children two, if they’ll be very good.” 

Those two, as solemn as young owls, both promised that they would. 

Dan felt he was too old, of course, for 
childish play like this. 

(When we begin to feel grown-up what 
merry times we miss !) 

They rummaged round until they found 
^ big shawls for Prue and Jane, 

And bonnets. Look ! a great tall hat for 
Tubby, and a cane ! 

They tied long mufflers on the Twins, then started down the road. 

One man who saw them said, “ I surely thought I should explode ! ” 

They’d planned to call upon the Trues, near neighbors, just below. 

But as they neared Trues’ gate a dog came out: he didn’t know 

The children in their trailing clothes. He showed his teeth and growled! 

The children turned and flew for home ; the Twins in terror howled. 

Think what a sight. Those flapping shawls, and Tubby’s stovepipe hat — 

It really was remarkable how he hung on to that 1 

When they got home, quite out of breath {how those five children ran 1), 

They all decided that they’d simply call on Auntie Fan. 

For she, they knew, had stayed at home, perhaps to mind the Baby 
For Mother, or, as like as not, expecting callers maybe. 

19 




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THEY CALL ON AUNT FAN '’^ 1 ^ YEAR’S CAKES 


Their finery they straightened out, then knocked at the front door, 

And Auntie opened it ; she’d played this kind of game before. 

So when she saw them she exclaimed, “ How are you, Mrs. Brown ? 

A Happy New Year to you all. Please come in and sit down.” 

They all trailed in with curtsies, bows, and scrapes, that funny crew 1 
And Prue and Janey talked “polite,” as they’d heard grown-folks do. 
They called Aunt Fan “ Miss Allen,” and they hoped they found her well. 
How was her little niece (Wee Wee), of whom they had heard tell? 

And so forth. Auntie entered right into their calling game. 

She brought the Baby down so that the Browns could all exclaim. 

And entertained them prettily, and soon — What do you think? 

She brought in heaps of New Year’s cakes, and cambric tea to drink. 
Tubby had acted very well, but when it came 
to this 

He almost sat on his tall hat in gas-tro-nom-ic 
bliss ! 

Dan, who had said he was “ too old for make- 
believe— most ’leven — ” 

Was not too old for New Year’s cakes; he 
slipped in and ate seven! 

The parrot, seeing them all feast, cried, “ Gi’ me chaw terbaccer ! ” 

’Twas Uncle Nat had taught her that, instead of “want a cracker.” 





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When they had eaten lots, Prue said, polite as anything, 

“We hear you’ve such a lovely voice. Miss Allen. Won’t you sing?” 




20 


THE SONG 


STOP THIEF! 


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She mimicked deaf old Carrie Gaff 
So well that Janey had to laugh. 

Aunt Fan then sang a little song that 
all the children knew; 

She said, of course, that she was hoarse, 
and wouldn’t they sing, too? 

^;^^Here are the words and melody 
Easy as pie, as you can see. 

Now while they sang this lively song 
they didn’t notice Tricks, 

Their dog: he’d found the plate of cakes 
and eaten five or six. 

They finally spied him, though, and 
then to save the cakes all fiew. 
They quite lost all their “comp’ny airs” 
and manners, I tell you. 

The dog, a cake still in his mouth, 
dodged out into the hall. 

Close followed by the children — ’course 
the Twins both had a fall. 

The front door opened. Tricks escaped, the parents had returned. 

And Uncle Nat. My, how they laughed and laughed when they all learned 
About the stolen cakes, and when they saw the chfidren’s rigs! 



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drinlcin^ t«a,SO QK Xw. iiri . She spUi o ■«««*%: 


^ c«^ Sa-wour. Awi Jo you. see a. cats a e^. wkatever you 


Jcyj sir; Havi if youliklt WjrTittle xn^ I’ll JOb«. 




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21 


HAPPY NEW YEAR*’ 




‘THE SAME TO YOU!’ 


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Soon after neighbor True dropped in and Mr. Jabez Briggs. 
Then off and on all afternoon, till darkness settled down, 
The New Year’s callers came: some drove way in from 
Ferry Town. 


And as the last guests took their leave and “ Happy New 
Year” cried 

Polly (she’d heard this all day long), “ The same to you ” replied. 




22 


PART FIVE 



This tells about the valentines the^ used to send 
each other. 

Especially about the one the children made for 
Mother. 


WAS February*, and the snow lay' deep upon the 


ground. 

It made, each step one took in it, a crispy, squeaking 
sound. 

About the Smileys’ house and barn the drifts were 
just immense. 

Why, there were places where you couldn’t even see 
the fence ! 

The almanac said “very cold,” and well indeed it 
might. 

Even the river, past the bend, was frozen Over, tight. 

Coasting was fine : the hills were white as far as you 
could look— 




Quite like this “winter scene” I found in an old story book. 

The Smiley children’d just come in, their rosy cheeks aglow. 

They’d been out playing with their sleds and building forts of snow. 
And now sat round the Franklin stove while shoes and stockings dried. 
(How warm and cozy ’twas indoors after the cold outside ! ) 

“What shall we do till supper time?” said Jane. All looked at Prue: 
She was the one who had ideas and thought of things to do. 


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* “Tho’ February,” Grandma says, “is cold and ‘ blow-your-nosey,’ 
Saint Valentine’s Day warms it up and makes you feel real cozy.’ 




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PRUE’S SECRET PLAN 


THEY ALL MAKE A VALENTINE 


“Now, day after to-morrow is Saint Valentine’s,” said she; 

“We’d most forgot— let’s see— Why not? Oh, listen! Why don’t we—” 

The rest she whispered ; all approved her solemn, secret plan, 

The only one they told was 
sweet, obliging Auntie 
Fan; 

She had to help. The scheme 
was this — to make a 
valentine 

For Mother; of the little 
verse each child should 
write a line. 

Then Auntie Fan could help 
them draw the cupids, 
doves, and darts. 

“I choose to paint,” cried 
Janey quaint, “the red 
upon the hearts. ” 

They all trooped up to 
Auntie’s room so Moth- 
er wouldn’t see. 

And set to work with might and main to write their poetry. 

The Twins, of course, had to be helped— they scarce knew A B C’s. 

For Baby’s line they put a kiss. Ah, clever poets these 1 
When, after many rubbing-outs, they’d finished. Auntie Fan 





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24 


PAINTING THE HEARTS 


VALENTINE’S DAY 


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Got out her paint box and her pens and paper, then began 
To draw and paint. The children crowded round so they could see— 

I love to watch a person paint. Don’t you? It seems to me 
A brush is like a magic wand, for it makes things appear 
From nowhere ! ’Cross the paper soon flew chubby cupids dear. 

Then doves and darts and punctured hearts Aunt Fan put in. “ Take care ! ” 

Cried Prue to Tubby, “ don’t you see your joggling Auntie’s chair I ” 

The Twins squeezed nearer all the time, and finally upset 
The painting water! Luckily ’twas just a rug got wet. 

Well, when the lovely valentine was almost done. Aunt Fan 
Let each one paint a heart bright red. “Mine’s reddest!” shouted 
Dan. 

Then very neatly Prue wrote in — where Aunt had left a space — 

Their lines of valentiney verse ; then took some narrow lace 
And pasted it around the edge. Like this. Well, did you ever! 

For just a homemade valentine I’d call that pretty clever ! 

Of course when Valentine’s Day came ’twas lots and lots of fun; 
When Uncle Nat brought up the mail there was for every one 
A valentine, or two or three ; in all it seemed, well, dozens. 

From loving friends and relatives, their uncles, aunts, and cousins. 

(What dainty tokens some were, too, all lace and gilded vines— 

You see, folks used to make a lot of sending valentines.) 

Some were slipped in beneath the door, and many times that day 
They spied the ones who’d left them, too, ere they could run away. 

25 


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ONE FOR AUNTY FROM EZ 


MOTHER’S VALENTINE! 


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Sweet Auntie Fan got five or six. She blushed just like a rose, 

For one she k^ew was from Ez True — how did she know, d’you s’pose? 
When Mother Smiley opened hers, the children, merry crew. 




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26 


‘GUESS FROM WHO!’ 


THE BEST OF ALL 


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Jumped up and down ecstatically, chanting, “Guess from who!” 
Of course she guessed. It was the best, she said, she’d ever seen, 
And in her eyes, ah, what a prize, indeed, it must have been. 



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27 




PART SIX 


When you read this, I almost f^now 
That sugaring you’ll want to go. 




ARCH seems to some a dismal month, ’twixt 
winter time and spring, 

But children know that isn’t so: for 
instance, for one thing 
The freezing nights and thawing noons 
make coasting simply prime. 

And towards the last part of the month 
comes maple sugar time! 

That’s something city children miss. 
Oh, isn’t it too bad 

All children cannot have the fun these 
Smiley youngsters had! 

One morning Dan came bursting in, 
all breathlessly, to say, 

' We’re going to the sugar woods— get ready right away.” 

(Uncle was helping Henry Howe his maple trees to tap; 

He’d said the children might come, too, that day, to help boil sap.) 

In eager haste— no time to waste— they soon were ready, all. 

“Here comes the sled!” cried Dan. They sped like lightning through the hall 
And out the door. Along the road with plodding, clumsy tread, 

A team of steaming oxen drew “ Hen’s ” heavy hauling-sled. 

Upon the sled a kettle stood, a monster kettle, too. 

Like one some giant p’r’aps might use for making soup or stew. 


THE OX-TEAM. “SHIP AHOY!’ 




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HOWE’S SUGAR CAMP 




The driver walked beside the team, a long stick in his hand. 

Most of the children found a place on the big sled to stand. 

A little sled they hitched behind — called it their “dory-boat” — 

The Twins looked cozy tucked in that. (Each wore a bright red 
coat.) 

Dan hopped into the kettle huge, pretending, all the trip. 

That he was in what sailors call the “ crow-nest ” of a ship. 

And when they’d see some other team, or even girl or boy. 

He’d loudly shout like ship’s look-out, “Sail hoi” or “ship ahoy!” 

Yes, little Tricks, their dog, went too; he always was along. 

(A crowd of children ’thout a dog to me seems, somehow, 
wrong.) 

An ox-team, as you know, is slow : 
small speed but lots of power. 

So, though ’twas not two miles 
away, it took them ’most an 
hour 

To reach Howe’s sugar woods. 

At last they got there. Uncle 
Nat 

Was chopping wood to build a fire; 
he stopped and waved his hat. 

A great log crane stood ready for 
the kettle. Jonas True 



HOW MAPLE SUGAR IS MADE 


THE CHILDREN’S KETTLE 






Was bringing in a pail of sap. Now, in a word or two, 

I’ll tell how maple sugar’s made— or was made years ago. 

It’s lot’s of fun from first to last. Well, first of all, you know. 

They whittle out some hollow plugs from slender elder stem, 

Then in the sugar-maple trees bore holes, and into them 

They stick the hollow elder spouts; the sap leaks out through these. 

(The very early spring’s the time they tap the maple trees.) 

To catch the sap they hang a pail or bucket ’neath the spout; 

As pails get full they empty them into a kettle stout. 

This kettle boils for hours and hours above a roaring blaze. 

(Over the woods at sugar time there hangs a 
smoky haze.) 

And as the syrup thicker grows they test it now 
and then 

By dropping some upon the snow to cool it off, and 
when 

It turns to sugar someone says “Hurrah, boys, 
sugar’s come ! ” 

Then it is done, and everyone, of course, 
must sample some. 

The Smiley children’d planned to make 
some sugar all themselves. 

A little kettle they had brought, those 
sweet-toothed, jolly elves. 





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30 


THE SNOW MAN 


THE SUGAR FEAST 


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Also some bread that they could spread with syrup— apples, too 
A “ sugar ” picnic’s best of all. Now, just let me tell you 
That when all morning you’ve been out, and worked and carried 
wood. 

And sniffed the boiling syrup — well, lunch tastes “ tarnation ” good I 
While waiting for their sap to boil they made a snow man tall ; 

He seemed to guard the sugar woods, the owner of them all. 

Majestic as some ancient prince or monarch of the past. 

*=^igrObserve my picture. It’s a shame his statue couldn’t last*. 

Tricks was their team — that clever dog 
most anything could do— 

He dragged a little loaded sled as Dan 
had taught him to. 

Prudence and Tubby tended fire, and 
they and all the rest 
Would every now and then spoon out 
some syrup “just to test,” 

So when ’twas really done — my land! 

they’d eaten more than half! 

At Tubby’s anxious, worried look how 
Uncle Nat did laugh. 

Well, luckily, enough was left to go 
around, at least: 

His downfall was complete. 



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Next day that snowman was a wreck. 

Jane said “ He was probably affected by the heat, 




31 


CHUCK -FULL” 


SPRING FRESHETS 


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The children all fell to and ate their long awaited feast. 

And when at last all started home, so very full were they 
Each felt that he or she would want no food for many a day. 

The children, though, by supper time forgot they felt “chuck-full,” 
Corn bread and baked potatoes tasted good as usual. 

That very night a freshet came, which showed, for one sure thing, 
The ice was breaking up at last and wintered changed to spring. 




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32 






PART SEVEN 



Kept in by rain this April da^t 
They cut out ” actors for a play.** 


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OTHER and Aunt were baking pies, and by the wood 
box Prue 

Was reading stories to the Twins and Tubby— I tell 
you, 

The kitchen is the finest room of all in rainy 
weather : 

It has a cozy sort of smell that just draws folks 
together. 

Jane Ann, her small nose pressed against the 
kitchen window pane. 

Was watching rather mournfully the racing April rain. 

But suddenly she brightened up— oh, wicked little Jane — 

Opened the window, leaned way out, and called with might and main, 

“ Oh, Captain Green ! Oh, Captain Green I ! ” Said Mother, “ Why, how queer, 
’Twas just a month ago he sailed away to stay a year ! ” 


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^ Now everyone liked Cap’n Green, so to the window 
^ flew 

Prudence and Tubby and the Twins, Mother and 
Auntie, too. 

(Uncle and pan had heard her, too, out in the wagon 
shed 




33 








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“APRIL FOOL!” 


AUNT FAN’S IDEA 





Where they were painting the old shay’s big wheels a fine, bright red.) 
As you’d expect, the Twins most wrecked the big blue kitchen stool- 
jane’s voice then rose in one long-drawn, triumphant “April Fool ! ” 

When they got settled down again, Prue, searching through 
her book 

To find the place she’d lost, exclaimed, “A paper doll— just 
look!” 

(Used as a bookmark probably.) “Why, good-land-sakes- 
alive 1” 

Said Mother ; “ that’s one Aunt Fan had when she was four 
or five ! ” 

This gave Aunt Fan a fine idea. “ Now that the pies are 
done. 

Let’s all make paper dolls,” said she. “ And wouldn’t it be fun 
To have a sort of little play — that’s what I used to do— 

With paper dolls for actors ; we can take that story Prue 
Just read, and use it for our play, ‘ The Fairies’ April Fool.’ 

It was a very simple tale from “Hours After School.” 

tale was this : One spring the Fair^ Queen decided to 
Just play a harmless joke upon some children thdit she knew. 

She went to where the children lived, just at the peep of dawn. 

And with her elf musicians, stood out on the dewy lawn. 

These cunning fairy pipers played their sweetest magic tune. 

That only children s ears can catch, at setting of the moon. 







34 



THE FAIRIES’ LITTLE JOKE 


HOW THEY MADE THE “ACTORS’ 


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The children iDof^e and all came out, then said the Fair^ Queen, 

'‘Oh, follow me, my dears, and see what’s growing on the green f” 

They hardly could believe their eyes inhen the town green they neared. 
For, though ’twas only April first, a tulip had appeared! 

But even as the hoys and girls all rubbed their sleepy eyes. 

The tulip turned! ’Twas hut an elf in flowery disguise! 

The fairies then were gone; but on the morning breezes cool 
The children heard faint laughter float, and cries of “April fool! ” 





They told their parents, but to them impossible it seemed; 

They smiled and said, with shake of head, “Tut, tut, you must have dreamed!” 


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Scissors and paper, pencils, paints, they brought out right away. 
Soon all were busy helping make the actors for their play. 

Prue did the most, for she, you see, could draw quite well and 
paint. 

Jane Ann cut out with careful snips the rows of children quaint. 
They folded strips in this way, so 
One cutting out completes a row, 

35 







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THE TULIP-ELF 


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THE RAINBOW! 


And Aunty helped them all, of course, and told them what to do. 

The Tulip-Elf she made herself. I think he’s fine. Don’t you? 

7 he front and back are di fferent, that*s how he has to be. 
So when he turns his back io you he is disguised, you see. 
The paper “ Parents” they cut out of “Godey’s 
Lady Book.” 

The Twins and Tubby colored them (with Moth- 
er’s aid). Just look 1 


“This afternoon when Father comes,” said Prue, 
“ we’ll give the play.” 

The doctor-father’d gone to help some sick man 
miles away. 

That afternoon (the rain’d just stopped), ’twas half- 
past three or four 

When Dan, bedaubed with carriage-paint, popped 
in the kitchen door, 

“Come see the rainbow in the east!” he called; 
then naturally they all forgot the paper play and 
rushed pell-mell to see! 



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I dont k^oW if they ever **gave** the ** Fairies* April Fool.** 
Here are the actors ** though, and, so, you can, — right after school. 

36 


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PART EIGHT 



Most everybody;, I should say. 
Loves to go picnicking in May. 


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WAS May I Best month of all the year I Birds, blos- 
soms, sunshine, and — 

But I must not get started on “ A Song of Spring.” 
Good land ! 

If I once did — I must admit that I came pretty 
near — 

About this May-time picnic you perhaps would 
never hear. 


Now Tubby’s birthday came the twenty-first of 
that fine month. 

He sometimes wondered why it wasn’t called the twenty-wonth. 

They’d made the cake the day before (Grandaunt makes “ Sun Cake ”* still) 

And planned a birthday picnic up on nearby Orchard Hill. 

Of course besides the birthday cake they’d take a lovely pie. 

Doughnuts and cheese and homemade bread, and even eggs to fry. 

They often went to Orchard Hill for picnics in the spring— 

A pleasant place — old apple trees with blossoms fluttering ; 

And from the ridge above a view of town and distant bay 

Where full-rigged ships looked like small toys, they were so far away. 



* Sun Cake’s a kind of fancy cake you seldom see nowadays 
In yellow frosting over white is drawn a sun with rays. 











37 


THEY START FOR ORCHARD HILL 



SETTING THE “TABLE’ 


The “ twenty-wonth ” dawned crystal clear, a perfect day to go, 
As Uncle Nat had prophesied. He always seemed to know. 
Even the Baby was to go with them a-pic 
I’ve noticed babies kick their heels for joji 



^<7 We’ll call the ridge of Orchard Hill the R 
^ j? tains grand.” 

N ^ (All children, in this country, then were 






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That by the time they got there it was 
nearly noon, and so 


But somehow picnics always are so late 
in starting out 


The Hill was really very near, say, half a 
mile, about— 


For men by thousands, hunting gold, 
were going West each year.) 


playing “pioneer,” 




They right away looked for a place to set the table. “ Oh, 

Do see this lovely grassy mound beneath the apple tree. 

It’s just the place,” said Aunt. Soon all were busy as could be — 
Excepting Tubby : he was not the kind to want to shirk, 



TUBBY’S ADVENTURE 


THE PICNIC 


But on his birthday all agreed he should do no real work. 

So he went off “ to hunt for gold ” while waiting for the feast. 

And found quartz crystals. Di’monds rare they seemed, to him at least. 
’Twas in the big sheep pasture just above the orchard that 
He found these treasures, which he carried proudly in his hat ; 

Just as he started back to show his di’monds to the rest 
A flock of sheep drew near. Dear, dear ! Right here must be confessed 
That Tubby was afraid of sheep! He’d once been chased, you see. 

By an old ram. Even a lamb now made him want to flee. 

He dropped his hat and wildly ran, and howled, I grieve to say, 

But you must please remember he was only six that day. 

The dog heard Tubby from afar and to the rescue flew. 

He made those sheep run ’most a mile— seemed to enjoy it, too. 

The picnic was a grand success ! Down by the old stone wall 
Dan built a Are to fry the eggs. (They’d bought a “ spider ” small.) 

That fire made the children feel 
As if they all were campers real 

Dear me, how good things taste out-doors ! Even 
the pony. Dot, 

Seemed to just really smack her lips over the oats 
she got. 

Tubby, despite his former fright, ate better than 
the best. 


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39 


“WILD WEST” GAMES 




THE “BOS’N’S REEL” 



What quantities of cake and pie small 
stomachs can digest 1 
That afternoon when tired of the “Wild 
West” games they played, 

The children joined the 
grown-ups, who were sit- 
ting in the shade. 

All but their father ; long be- 
fore he had been called 
away — 

A doctor never is allowed a 
real whole holiday. 


They all begged Uncle Nat 
to dance his famous 
“Bos’n’s reel?’: 


He showed the children how ’twas done on nimble toe and 
heel. 

Ez True had brought his flute along. Yes, he was there, 
you see 

He was a-courting Auntie Fan— flne fellow, yes, siree ! 

It must have been a sight to see the children hopping round 
With shout and squeal to learn the reel. They fairly 
shook the ground. 

R 40 


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Mow goo^ thIngJ tAjtt 
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THE QUADRILLE 


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EZ “FINDS GOLD” 


Then Auntie showed them the Quadrille, and later she and Ez 
Went for a stroll up to the Knoll, and Great-Aunt Prudence says, 

“ Maybe it was the soft spring air, ’twas real sweetheartin’ weather,” 
But, anyhow, that handsome pair came back at last. Together 
They stood, the petals drifting down upon them from the tree. 

And Ezra said, proud, blushing red, “ Fan says she’ll marry me 1 ” 


A nd Mother Smiley used to say, 

** Ez was the one * found gold* that day,** 





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41 


Aunt Fannie marries Ezra True. 

I do like Wedding cake. Don’t you? 




PART NINE 



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UNT Fan “became a bride” in June, and Great-Aunt 
Prue tells me, 

“ That was the nicest wedding you would ever want to 
see ! ” 

For days before the Big Event “there wasn't hardly 
time,” 

As someone said, “ to wind the clock,” and sleeping 
seemed a crime. 

Aunt Fan and Mother Smiley’d sew all day and half 
the night. 

And Uncle once to Father said, “ Dan’l, it isn’t right. 
JK. Those women-folks might just take time to bake a 

pot o’ beans: 

We can’t eat clothes and furbelows or live on bomba- 
zines ! ” 

The Children— that is all except dear one-year-old Wee Wee— 

With little homemade wedding gifts were busy as could be. 

Prue, who could use a needle ’most as well as Mother, made 
An apron “in the latest style” ; ’twas blue, a pretty shade. 

Dan whittled two big stirring spoons and Uncle showed him how 
To scrape them smooth with broken glass. One’s in our kitchen now. 




42 


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GIFTS. THE DAISY CHAIN 


THE WEDDING MORNING 


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Why, even Tubby and the Twins their contributions made, 

They picked sweet fern for pillows Janey’d stitched, with Mother’s aid. 

The young folks spent the afternoon before the wedding day 
In making a long daisy chain— a beauty, too, they say. 

This was to decorate, you see, the stair rail and the hall. 

(Great-Aunt’s told me so many times, I seem to see it all.) 

The parlor doors’ wide opening an arch of daisies spanned ; 



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Beneath this to be married Aunty Fan and Ez would stand. 

So ’twas a bustling household as you all can plainly see, 

“ Almost like just ’fore Christmas ! ” Janey Ann said happily. 

The wedding day was wonderful from sparkling, dewy dawn 
Till evening shadows lengthened from the elms upon the lawn. 
The rambler roses never’ d seemed so fragrant or so fair. 

Birds sang in the big friendly trees, June’s sweetness filled the air. 
The Smiley Family was astir, of course, at early light— 

Before the guests arrived they had to see that all looked right. 

43 








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GUESTS ARRIVE 


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THE WEDDING 




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(I quite agree with Janey Ann, who used to say, “ I do 
Just love to get up early when the world is spick-span new ! ”) 

- Good Gramp an’ Gran’ma Smiley were, I think, the first 

to come. 

And soon with gay, excited sounds the house began to hum. 
Folks kept a-coming thick and fast in phaeton or“ shay” — 
All old friends dear from far and near — the fine old- 
fashioned way. 

Old Parson Stearns arrived, and o’er the crowd- 
ed, flowery room 

There fell a sort of rustling hush. The poor per- 
spiring groom 

. •' Stood blushing ’neath the daisy arch ; but no one 

looked at him. 

' See ! Here she comes,'* the whisper hums, and many eyes grow dim. 

Soft radiance of purest white, blossom and filmy veil. 

She leans on Doctor Smiley’s arm— the Twins set up a wail I ! 

I hardly blame them. They’d been squeezed behind fat Mrs. Hall, 

That’s why the dears complained in tears, **lVe can't see Aunt at all." 

Even the nervous bridegroom grinned ; some laughed, I grieve to say ; 

But, after all, most weddings are too solemn anyway. 





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Well, then the Parson went to work, and soon “the knot was tied.’ 
Ez kissed Aunt Fan— now Mrs. True, with tenderness and pride. 




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44 


TRICKS KISSES THE BRIDE 


THE BRIDAL SWING 


4 


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Then everybody crowded close to wish the handsome pair 
Prosperity and happiness and every prospect fair. 

Even the dog, who’d wriggled in, jumped up and “ kissed the bride ” ! 
Oh, what a laugh, what merry chaff came then from every side ! 



Old “ Gramp ” said, “ Now, when I was young we always formed a ring 
And danced about the bride and grOom ; ’twas called the Bridal Swing.” 
No sooner said than done. All trooped out to the lawn to dance 
Or to look on (there were a few, perhaps, too old to prance). 

Tricks tore about and barked for joy, “egged on” no doubt, by Dan, 

45 


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And from the open window Poll cried, “ Go it, Sairy Ann ! ” 


“ Here comes the cake and lemonade and sandwiches.” Of course 
It isn’t hard to guess that that was Tubby’s whisper hoarse. 

46 


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BENEATH THE ELMS 


STAGE TIME 


FAN’S TRUNK 









All sat in groups beneath the elms, and Mother, Janey 
Ann 

And Prudence passed the things about— ’twas Auntie’s 
picnic plan. 

The Baby got a tiny taste of wedding cake— I fear 
’Twas Uncle Nat who gave her that — when Mother 
wasn’t near. 

After the lunch folks strolled or sat and “passed the time 
o’ day.” 

They must have made in sun-flecked shade a pretty pic- 
ture. Eh ? 

“Well, bless my soul, it’s three o’clock!” said Uncle, “Stage time, too.” 

And sure enough “Ed Fox’s coach” was coming into view. 


1 '’"■'TT'r-' ^ 


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It soon drew up before the gate. “ Shh— back, Nance 1 IVhoooa there, Nell 1 1 
The time had come (it always does somehow) to say farewell. 

Down the front path “the couple” came: Fan dressed in pink and gray 
Ez carried a new carpet bag with scarlet roses gay ! 

(They’d told nobody where they were to spend their honeymoon, 

Perhaps ’twas to Niagara Falls they went— that long-gone June.) 

Father brought down Fan’s cow-hide trunk all studded with brass nails. 

The driver put it up on top. The horses switched their tails. 

47 


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DAN’S COWBELL 


“ GOOD - BYE 


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And then before they realized the old red coach was gone 1 
Why even Dan forgot he’d planned to tie a cow bell on. 

All stood there waving handkerchiefs— and moist was many an eye— 

“ Good-bye,” they shouted, and again, “ Good-bye,”— “ Good-bye,”— “ Good-bye.’ 



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48 


WORD 


AFTER 









OME time, perhaps, I’ll tell about what they all did that summer. 

How they spent Independence Day: How on the “Dora Plummer” — 
A schooner small — the children took a jolly little cruise. 

With Uncle Nat as skipper, and I think it will amuse 
You probably to hear about what happened Circus Day 
When Dan— but I’ll not tell that now ; it’s too late anyway. 

I will though, sometime, and about their stay at Grandpa’s : (My 1 








49 



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What fun they had there “ haying time ” that wonderful July.) 
The many other things they did while visiting the Farm ; 

The thunderstorm and fire with its wild midnight alarm ! 

The opening of School and then— but why go on this way ? 

I’ll tell you, as I promised, all these tales some other day. 



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